"The poor child has my sympathy but what can I do?" Lady Hare inquired.
"Being an American, you can expect but one answer from me," said the philosopher. "To us tyranny in home or state is intolerable. They tried it on me when I was a boy and I ran away."
"That is what I shall do if necessary," said Margaret.
"Oh, my child! How would you live?" her mother asked.
"I will answer that question for her, if you will let me," said Franklin. "If she needs it, she shall have an allowance out of my purse."
"Thank you, but that would raise a scandal," said the woman.
"Oh, Your Ladyship, I am old enough to be her grandfather."
"I wish to go with Jack, if you know where he is," Margaret declared, looking up into the face of the philosopher.
"I think he is pushing toward America," Franklin answered. "Being alarmed at the condition of his adversary, I advised him to slip away. A ship went yesterday. Probably he's on it. He had no chance to see me or to pick up his baggage."
"I shall follow him soon," the girl declared.